Cycle timer for controlling work circuits



P 1934- H. J. BRANDENBURGER 1,973,603

CYCLE TIMER FOR CONTROLLING WORK CIRCUITS Filed Jan. 14, 1932 M@INVENTPR M w/ZQU ATTORN EYS Patented Sept. 11, 1934 UNITED STATES CYCLETIMERFOR CONTROLLING WORK CIRCUITS Herbert J. Brandenburger, St. Louis,Mo., assignor to Grouse-Hinds C ompany, Syracuse, N. Y., a

- corporation of New York Application January 14, 1932, Serial No.586,653

- Claim.

This invention relates in general to work cycle timers. Moreparticularly. the invention relates to means for varying a period orperiods of the work cycle timer, as set forth in my co-pending 5application, Ser. No. 515,722.

The invention has for its object, the employment of means for stopping,or varying, the operation of the timer during any period or periods, andthe employment of a thermal switch for reestablishing the operation ofthe timer after the same has been stopped for a predetermined length oftime.

The invention consists in the novel features and in the combinations andconstructions hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In describing this invention, reference is had to the accompanyingdrawing in which like characters designate corresponding parts in allthe views.

' Figure 1 represents a schematic view of a work cycle timer togetherwith the apparatus for varying the operation of the timer.

Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a modified form of thestructure shown in Figure 1.

It is well known to those skilled in the art that a thermal switch canitself only make and break a comparatively small amount of currentthrough its movable contacts due to the relatively arcing caused by theexceedingly slow movement of the movable contacts. Also, these thermalswitches have a tendency to make and break through a series of contactsrather than by a quick make and break contact.

This arcing and fluttering at the contacts produces excessive wear, andcauses the contacts to burn and pit and eventually weld or sticktogether. Also, the repetition of the contacts is detrimental to theoperation of certain apparatus.

An important object of my inventionis to convert the microscopic make orbreak, to one of appreciable length and at the same time convert theslow movement of the thermal contacts to a quick make and break.

Another object, is provision for instantaneously removing the heatingcoil of the thermal switch from the circuit upon the first contact, orseparation, of the movable contacts of the thermal switch.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawing, 10 designates in general a workcycle timer controlling the work circuits 11, 12 and 13. These workcir-.- cuits may be employed to operate any apparatus which it isdesired to operate through a work 55 cycle, as for example trafficsignalling lights. The

timer consists of a suitable operating means as an induction disk motor14 which revolves the shaft 15 with its cams 16, 17, 18, which in turnoperate movable contacts 19, 20, 21 respectively through a predeterminedwork cycle. The contacts 19, 20, 21 engage, when actuated by theirrespective cams, suitable complemental contacts 22, 23, 24 which arestationary and which are supplied in common with current from the feedcircuit through wire 25. As here shown the motor is actuated by therunning coil R.

It is often desired to vary the operation of the timer during one ormore periods of its cycle, while one or more of the work circuits areenergized, for example, it is often desired to vary one or more periodsin the cycle of a traffic signal timer, such as the lengthening of thegreen light on one of the intersecting streets during certain periods ofthe day. I have arbitrarily selected circuit 13 as one which is desiredto be varied from the usual operation by the timer. The variation, inthis instance, consists in stopping the timer for a predetermined timeduring the period when the contacts 21, 24 are engaged and the workcircuit 13 energized. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art, asthe description proceeds, that this variation might consist in simplyslowing the timer down during such period or running it faster duringsuch period. Connected to the work circuit which is desired to bevaried, in this instant the work circuit 13, is a branch circuit whichobviously is energized at the same instant the work circuit isenergized. I designate this branch circuit a control circuit inasmuch asit controls the means for varying the period of the cycle timer. In thiscircuit is connected switch Z'I'which may be either manually operated oroperated at predetermined intervals by any suitable means, such as atime clock or the like. This circuit includes a coil of a relay 28 whichprovides a shifting means for its armature 29. This circuitis alsoconnected by wire 30 to the normally closed contacts 31, 32of relay 33,wires 34 and 39 completing the circuit to the common return of the feedcircuit. The heating coil 35 of a thermal switch 36 is also connected inthis control circuit through the wire 37, the body of the thermal switch36, heating coil 35, wire 38, wire 30, contacts 31, 32, wires 39, 34.The running coil R of the motor 14 is connected in a circuit, which Idesignate as an operating circuit through the Wire 40, normally closedcontacts 29, 41, wire 42, running coil R, wire 43 to the common returnof the feed circuit.

From the above, it will be apparent that when the cam 18 moves thecontact 21 into engagement with the contact 24 and the switch 2'7 is in"on positiona hot circuit is provided through the relay 28 and theheating coil 35. Accordingly, the relay 28 shifts the armature 29 intoup" position or from contact 41 to contact 38, thus breaking the circuitthrough the running coil R and stopping the timer. In cases where thecycle timer may have some appreciable coasting efiect, the motor 14 maybe instantly stopped-by providing a braking coil B which is connectedinto a hot circuit through the contacts 29, 38, wires 45, 46 and 43. v

The thermal switch 36 provides a variable timing means for controllingthis variation es tablished in the cycle timer. As theheating coils arenow connected into a hot circuit the contact 47 of the thermal switchwill be moved toward and into engagement with the adjustable contact 48.The time within which the contacts 4'7, 48 engage depends upon theadjustment of the contact 48. The engagement of contacts 4'1, 48complete a hot circuit through the wire 49, relay 33, wire 34. It is toberemembered that the body of the thermal switch 36 to which the contact4'7 is electrically connected is already supplied with current from thepositive line through the control circuit. Relay 33 now shifts itsarma-' ture 32 out of engagement with the contact 31, thus breaking thecontrol circuit through the relay 28 and through the heating coil 35. In

this form of my invention, the breaking of the control circuit instantlyupon engagement of the contacts 47, 48 of the thermal switch is of greatimportance.

The relay 33 is provided with an additional armature 50 which when therelay 33 is energized is shifted into contact with the contact 51; thisshifting resulting in a hot stick circuit from the control circuit 26,wire 52, armature 50, contact 51, wire 49, relay 33, wire 34 to theother side of the feed'circuit. It will be obvious that this isaccomplished instantly upon the slightest contact of the contacts 47, 48and regardless of any fluttering or repetition of engagement betweenthese contacts, the result cannot'be transferred to the relay 28,inasmuch as the circuit through the relay is broken and also the circuitthrough the thermal switch is broken.

Accordingly, once the relay 33 becomes energized, it is maintained insuch condition through the stick circuit and remains in this conditionuntil the timer 10 operates through the remainder of the period andopens the contacts 21, 24. It will be observed that immediately afterthe relay 33 is energized the relay 28 is de-energized and the armature29 again shifted into en-v gagement with the contact 41 which opens thebraking circuit, if one is employed, restoring a hot circuit through therunning coil R. The

motor 14 then operates the timer through the period which has beenvaried and through the succeeding periods of the cycle.

Referring to Figure 2 of the drawing, the control circuit consists ofwire. 26, switch 27, wire 60, wire 61, stationary contact 62, armature63, wire 64, contacts 65, 66, thermal switch 67, wire 68, relay 69, wire'70, to the other side of the circuit. The heating coil 76 of thethermal switch 67 is also connected in this circuit through the wires71, 70.

In this-embodiment of my invention, the thermal switch is so arrangedthat the contacts 65; 66 are normally engaged.

' When the relay 69 is energized, the armatures 72, 73 are attracted intheir up position. A circuit is now established through wire 60,armature 72, contact '24, wire '75, wire 64, contacts 65, 66, theheating coil '76 of the thermal switch, wires '11, '70 to the-other sideof the circuit. It will be noted that at this instant. the heating coil'76 of the thermal switch is supplied with current through thepreviously described circuit and through the latter circuit. Also, therelay 69 is likewise supplied with current through the same two circuitsin that the relay and the heating coil of the thermal switch areconnected in parallel. Simultaneously, upon the relay 69 described iscompleted substantially instantaneously and it is to be noted that thecircuit from the positive side of the line, through the running I coilR, wire 85, is broken through the armature 74, contact 86. Also, thebraking coil B has become energized through wire 60, armature 72,contact '14, wire 75, armature 63, contact 8'7, wire 88, braking coil B,to the negative side of the line.

The motor 14 and the timer 10 are thereupon stopped with the workcircuit 13 being energized.

The contact 65 of the thermal switch is adjustable so that the timerequired for the thermal switch to separate the contacts 65, 66 may beadjusted. After this time elapses the contacts 65, 66 separate and thecircuit to the relay 69 is open permitting the armatures 72, 73 toresume their down position in which the circuit through the braking coilB is interrupted through the contact '74, armature '72, and thecircuitto the running coil R is again re-established through the contact86, armature '73.

It is to be noted that inasmuch as the circuit for the heating coil 76for the thermal switch is connected through the contacts 65, 66 andcontacts 72, '74, this circuit becomes instantly broken upon the openingof the circuit through the relay 69 by the separation of the contacts65, 66.-

It is to be further noted that inasmuch as the stick circuit for therelay '79 is completed through the contact 21, this relay will berestored to normal position upon the timer completing the period thathas been varied or lengthened as above.

By the novel arrangement in both Figures 1 and 2, the control orstarting circuit which energizes the relays 28, 69, is connected throughthe control or starting circuit has been previously broken by theenergizing of the relays What I claim is: 1. A work cycle timer forcontrolling work circuits, means for operating the timer through its ,t

cycle, and means for varying the normal operation of the timer during aperiod of its cycle including a first and second switch, said switchesbeing normally held in one position and shiftable into second position,means for shifting each of said switches, an operating circuit forenergizing the timer operating means, said circuit connected through thecontacts of the first switch when in its normal position, a thermalswitch, a control circuit energized by the timer during a period of itscycle, said circuit being connected through the contacts of the secondswitch when in its normal position and including the shifting means forthe first switch and the heating coil of the thermal switch, theshifting means for the second switch being connected in said controlcircuit through the movable contacts of the thermal switch and throughthe contacts of said second switch when in shifted position, the thermalswitch being operable to cause shifting of the second switch apredetermined length of time after the energizing of the controlcircuit.

2. A cycle timer for controlling work circuits, means for operating thetimer through its cycle, and means for varying the regular operation oithe timer during a period of its cycle including first and secondshiftable switches, means for shifting each of said switches, anoperating circuit connected through the contacts of the first switch forenergizing the timer-operating means, and a control circuit energizedperiodically by the timer, said control circuit being connected throughthe shifting means of the first switch and the contacts of the secondswitch when in normal position, a thermal switch connected in saidcontrol circuit and being operable to suecessively energize the shiftingmeans of the second switch and de-energize the shifting means of thefirst switch a predetermined length of time after the control circuit isenergized, and a stick circuit for holding the second switch in shiftedposition until the control circuit is deenergized by the timer at theend of said period.

3. In a cycle timer for controlling work circuits, means for operatingthe timer through its work cycle, brake means for. stopping said timerand means for varying a period of the cycle of the timer including afirst and a second switch, said switches being normally held in oneposition and shiftable into a second position, and means for shiftingeach of said switches, the operating means for the timer being connectedin circuit through the contacts of the first switch when in its normalposition and the brake means being connected in circuit when the saidswitch is in its shifted position, a thermal switch, a control circuitenergized by the timer during a period of its cycle, theshifting meansfor the first switch and he heating coil of the thermal switch beingconnected in said control circuit through the contacts of the secondswitch when in its normal position, the shifting means for the secondswitch being connected in said control circuit through the movablecontacts of the thermal switch when said second switch is in normalposition and through the contacts of said second switch when in shiftedposition, said control circuit being deenergized by the timer at the endof said period.

4. A cycle timer for controlling work circuits, means for operating theand means for varying the operation of the timer during a period of itscycle including first and second shiftable switches, and a thermalswitch, a control circuit periodically energized by the timer, andconnected through the contacts of the second switch when in normalposition, the shifting means of the first switch and the heating coil ofthe thermal switch being connected in said control circuit, the shiftingmeans of the second switch being connected in said control circuitthrough the movable contacts of the thermal switch, a circuit forenergizing the timer varying means connected through the contacts of thefirst switch when in shifted position, and a stick circuit for holdingthe second switch in shifted position until the control circuit istie-energized by the timer, the thermal switch being operable to causeshifting the second switch a predetermined time after the first switchhas been shifted.

5. A cycle timer for controlling work circuits, means for operating thetimer through its cycle, and means for varying the normal operation ofthe timer during a period of its cycle including a switch normally heldin one position and shift-' able into a second position, an operatingcircuit for energizing the timer operating means connected through thecontacts of said switch when the same is in normal position, a secondshiftable switch, a control circuit energized by the timer during aperiod of its cycle and connected through the contacts of the secondswitch when the same is in normal position, means connected in thecontrol circuit for shifting said first switch when said control circuitis energized by the timer, a thermal switch having its heating coilconnected in said control circuit, means for shifting said second switchincluding one of said other switches, the thermal switch being operablein conjunction with said second switch a predetermined time after thecontrol circuit is energized by the timer to deenergize the shiftingmeans of the first switch, said control circuit being deenergized by thetimer at the end of said period.

HERBERT J. BRANDENBURGER.

timer through its cycle,

